Negotiating pay when I have been out of work - 17 weeks in

I do not know whether to give a range or ask for theirs. This is my first time dealing with any of this. I also do not want to sell myself short.

Benefits matter too. A slightly lower rate with better coverage was better for me.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 8 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.